'Worst decision ever' - Shane Warne slams Ricky Ponting's call to bowl first in Edgbaston Test of Ashes 2005

The Ashes, known for its historic relevance and nail-biting thrillers, has produced several classic encounters over the decades. Australia, especially during the 90s, emerged on the international stage as the forerunners in all departments. Be it amassing big totals or scalping crucial wickets, the Aussies left no stones unturned in proving their dominance in Tests as well as ODIs.

The 2005 Ashes produced some memorable encounters as England too were eager to topple an in-form Australian side. The most thrilling match in the series was the ‘classic’ Edgbaston Test where England clinched the victory by the narrowest of margins.

After being handed a defeat in the first Test at Lord’s, England were confident of levelling the series up at 1-1. Michael Vaughan and Co were on the brink of victory in the second Test but there was a twist in the tale. needed just two wickets to win, while Australia required a further 107 to win. England eventually managed to tie the series by winning the match by just 2 runs.

Recently, Michael Vaughan, Kevin Pietersen, Marcus Trescothick, Steve Harmison and Shane Warne joined Rob Key and Nasser Hussain to reflect back on the nail-biting thriller.

Warne, known for not hesitating while stating his opinion, said that Australian captain Ricky Ponting made a huge error by deciding to bowl first on that wicket.

“Nasser [Hussain] goes down as one of those people that had one of the worst-ever decisions when he said ‘we’ll have a bowl, thanks’ at Brisbane [in the 2002/03 Ashes], but at least at The Gabba the ball swings or does something on day one. This was a road and the ball did nothing.

“Punter’s [Ponting’s] decision to bowl first was just the worst decision ever, by any captain. So take a back seat, Nas, Punter has got your back,” the leg-spin maestro was quoted as saying by foxsports.com.au.

‘England’s attack in that series was fantastic’: Shane Warne

Warne, who put up a fighting stand with Brett Lee, was dismissed hit wicket that brought the last man Michael Kasprowicz in to bat. The leg-spinner, after being dismissed, still believed that the Aussies had a chance to hunt down the target.

“The night before, in the last over, Steve Harmison bowled Michael Clarke with a slower ball with what proved to be the last ball of the day. Needing 107, you’ve got myself, Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz left, but I still believed we had a chance.”

“England’s attack in that series was fantastic. The ball was reverse swinging, they were bowling 90mph plus, Harmy and Freddie at their best, but I just had to hang in there and then you never know.”

“My plan in this series was to get right across my stumps when batting, but then here I went too far across and somehow my foot hit the stumps – I still don’t know how?! I could not believe it,” Warne said.